Category Hotel, Events, Tourism, Organisations & Operators

With Jamaica named this year’s featured destination, Sandals Resorts partnered with the Jamaica Tourist Board to bring the island to life at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. The experience spanned two distinct spaces, the Sandals Resorts Jamaica Cultural Exchange Pavilion and a branded Sandals Resorts and Jamaica experiential space, offering festivalgoers an immersive, on-the-ground connection to the destination.

As a UAE-born brand shaped by authentic hospitality and immersive experiences, JA Resorts & Hotels continues to evolve alongside the nation it calls home. Across the country, time is increasingly spent in ways that feel shared and intentional, with community-led and active experiences taking quiet precedence, a shift JA has long been part of through its distinctive blend of world-class hospitality and considered lifestyle experiences. Home to JA Palm Tree Court, JA Beach Hotel, and JA Lake View Hotel, the resort reflects how modern residents choose to stay, play, and unwind.

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa is proud to introduce the Pelican’s Nest Sky Deck, a groundbreaking addition that redefines the traditional all-inclusive resort experience. Spanning 59,000 square feet, the new rooftop environment brings together entertainment, adventure and social programming in a dynamic open-air setting.

To mark World Earth Day, BE WTR convened a Sustainability Roundtable at W Hotel Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, which welcomed some of the UAE’s most influential voices across hospitality, sustainability, media, and local community initiatives. With ESG practices a hot topic right now, the event shone a spotlight on homegrown brands and changemakers who are actively shaping a more responsible, circular, and environmentally conscious future in the region.

The Maldives continues to capture the imagination of discerning travelers, where turquoise lagoons, white sand beaches, and private island living define the ultimate escape. Long associated with once-in-a-lifetime journeys, the destination is increasingly sought after for family-friendly Maldives vacations, where space, privacy, and shared experiences come together for meaningful time away. With this in mind, Marriott Bonvoy portfolio of resorts in the Maldives reintroduces its Family Fun Summer offer, inviting families, groups of friends, and couples traveling together to reconnect across its collection of private island resorts.

At Round Hill Hotel & Villas, summer’s most meaningful moments unfold in a setting where every detail has been considered. This season of restoration begins with Mother’s Day weekend, continues with a Pickleball Invitational and wellness residency, and culminates in a Fourth of July celebration blending American tradition with Jamaica’s vibrant culture.

The Hard Rock Heals Foundation, the charitable arm of Hard Rock International, announced its “Stay Strong Jamaica” relief effort raised over $400,000 to support Jamaica’s recovery from Hurricane Melissa, the Category 5 storm that struck in October 2025, causing nearly $9 billion in damages and leaving thousands homeless. The Foundation’s donation was provided to support housing, infrastructure repair, and humanitarian aid through Jamaica’s Promise, a non-profit organization that provides resources and support needed by local organizations.

Hard Rock International and long-time partner Coca-Cola are championing women in music with a ‘Women Empower’ content series and related activations throughout March as part of Hard Rock’s annual International Women’s Month celebrations.

With only-in-DC experiences, free attractions and a citywide collaboration of more than 85 partners, Washington, DC is kicking off its year-long commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. No place tells America’s story as vividly as DC, the only place to see the Declaration of Independence and the best place to discover its impact. Destination DC, the city’s official destination marketing organization, announced an updated calendar of fun, free events and special exhibitions, interspersed with headline openings and reopenings, throughout the year. Begin planning your trip at a special website for the occasion: DC250.us.

The behavior of travelers attending major tourism events is undergoing a significant shift. On the occasion of FITUR Madrid 2026, RateGain, a global leader in AI-powered SaaS solutions for the travel and hospitality industry, analyzed hotel bookings in the Community of Madrid for the week of January 19–25. The analysis reveals a substantial change in booking patterns, characterized by longer booking lead times, higher spend per night, and longer stays.